US Reporter

The Reason Behind Rupert Murdoch and Ann Lesley Smith’s Engagement Call Off Revealed by Vanity Fair

Cindy Smith Cindy Smith on June 5, 2023

Ann Lesley Smith and media tycoon Rupert Murdoch are said to have called off their engagement just weeks after they announced it. A source close to Mr. Murdoch told Vanity Fair that Mr. Murdoch was unhappy with Ms. Smith’s outspoken evangelical views were the likely cause of the sudden change of heart.

The 92-year-old founder of News Corp., Mr. Murdoch, had only revealed his engagement to Ms. Smith, 66, last month. They first connected in September 2022 at a gathering in his California vineyard, where Mr. Murdoch later proposed to her on St. Patrick’s Day.

This information comes just one year after the media extensively reported Mr. Murdoch’s breakup with his fourth wife, Jerry Hall. The money manager had recently been hitched multiple times prior to sealing the deal with Lobby in 2016.

The connection between Mr Murdoch and Ms Smith had been astounding for some, given their critical age contrast and immensely various foundations. Ms Smith is a previous police cleric and an individual from the Congregation of Britain, while Mr Murdoch is an Australian-conceived media mogul who has been a dubious figure in the media scene for a really long time.

It is unclear how Mr. Murdoch will respond to this most recent development and whether he will publicly address it. Even though the media mogul has previously admitted that he hated falling in love, he knew that his most recent engagement would be his last, it appears that we won’t be hearing the last of the media mogul and his romantic pursuits anytime soon.

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Canceled 

While Vanity Fair reports that Mr Murdoch was uncomfortable with Ms Smith’s outspoken evangelical views, there is more to her story than meets the eye.

Ms Smith’s late husband was none other than Chester Smith, a country singer and radio TV exec. The couple were married for over 40 years before he passed away in 2008. Ms Smith herself has a background in law enforcement, having served as a police chaplain for over 20 years. Furthermore, she is a member of the Church of England and has been outspoken about her faith.

When news of her engagement to Mr Murdoch broke last month, Ms Smith spoke to the New York Post about their relationship. “For us both it’s a gift from God. We met last September,” she said. “I’m a widow of 14 years. Like Rupert, my husband was a businessman… so I speak Rupert’s language. We share the same beliefs.”

Ms Smith’s faith has been a central part of her life, and she has often talked about the role it played in helping her cope with her husband’s death. In an interview with the BBC in 2018, she said, “I think faith is absolutely vital… it helps you to get through difficult times.”

It is unclear how much of a role Ms Smith’s faith played in the breakup of her engagement to Mr Murdoch, but it is clear that the couple had differing views on certain issues. 

Despite this, it is necessary to remember that Ms Smith is more than just a former fiancee of a media tycoon. She has a rich and varied life story that includes a successful career as a police chaplain and a deep commitment to her faith.

Engagement in Weeks

The 92-year-old founder of News Corp, who has been married four times previously, told the New York Post that he proposed to Smith on St Patrick’s Day, saying that he was “happy” and “looking forward to spending the second half of our lives together.”

The news of the engagement came as a surprise to many, given the significant age difference between the two and their vastly different backgrounds. Smith, 66, is a former police chaplain and a member of the Church of England, while Murdoch is an Australian-born media tycoon who has been a controversial figure in the media landscape for decades.

The couple reportedly met in September 2022 at an event at Murdoch’s vineyard in California. Smith’s late husband was Chester Smith and the two had been married for over 40 years before he passed away in 2008. Smith herself has a background in law enforcement, having served as a police chaplain for over 20 years.

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Looked Forward

Despite the surprise of their engagement, it seems that the couple is well-suited for each other. In her interview with the New York Post, Smith said, “I’m a widow of 14 years. Like Rupert, my husband was a businessman… so I speak Rupert’s language. We share the same beliefs.” Murdoch also spoke of their shared values, saying that they were both “looking forward to spending the second half of our lives together.”

The couple reportedly planned to split their time between California, Montana, New York, and the UK. Their wedding was expected to take place in late summer, but with the recent news that they have called off the engagement, it seems that those plans have been put on hold.

According to Vanity Fair, the reason behind the sudden change of heart seems to be Murdoch’s discomfort with Smith’s outspoken evangelical views. It remains to be seen how either party will react to this latest development, but it is clear that the engagement of Rupert Murdoch and Ann Lesley Smith has been a surprising and unexpected story in the media landscape.

Photo: Ecosia

Rupert Murdoch to Wed Ann Lesley Smith: Fifth Marriage for 92-Year-Old Media Titan

Cindy Smith Cindy Smith on May 1, 2023

Billionaire media mogul Rupert Murdoch is set to tie the knot again as he announced his engagement to Ann Lesley Smith in an article published in one of his own publications, the New York Post. The 92-year-old tycoon has already been married four times and this news caught the attention of the media around the world.

Murdoch’s upcoming wedding announcement was delivered in his typically candid style, with the Media Baron revealing he met his future wife at his winery in Bel Air, Calif. last September.

He said in the piece that he was afraid of falling in love again, but he was also certain that this would be his final union.

The engagement ring, an Asscher-cut diamond solitaire, was presented to Smith on St. Patrick’s Day in New York. Murdoch explains the meaning of the date, revealing that he is one-fourth of him Irish.  

News of Murdoch’s fifth wedding sparked mixed reactions. Some people criticize the age gap with their fiancée. 

Whatever people may say, it is obvious that Murdoch is content with his choice to be married again. Later this year, the couple hopes to exchange vows in what will definitely be a well-attended ceremony.

Personal Life

Murdoch’s personal life has often been in the public eye, with his previous marriages and divorces making headlines. However, the media mogul is perhaps best known for his business empire, which includes News Corp. and Fox Corporation, among other companies.

Despite his age, Murdoch remains an active figure in the media world, and his influence is still felt across the industry. His latest marriage announcement may have taken some by surprise, but it is clear that Murdoch is still willing to take risks and pursue happiness, even in his 90s.

The 66-year-old bride-to-be was previously married to Chester Smith, a country singer and radio and TV executive, who passed away in 2008.

Like Murdoch, Smith has also had experience in the media industry. In fact, she and Murdoch bonded over their shared knowledge of the business, according to a statement she made to the New York Post. “Like Rupert, my husband was a businessman. 

Worked for local papers, developed radio and TV stations and helped promote (Spanish-language TV network) Univision. So I speak Rupert’s language. We share the same beliefs,” she said.

It’s clear that Murdoch and Smith have a lot in common, and their shared experiences have undoubtedly helped to bring them closer together. Murdoch, who is 92 years old, has been married four times before, with his previous wives including a former flight attendant, a journalist, and an entrepreneur. He has six children.

In 2016, Murdoch married former model Jerry Hall in a ceremony at St. Bride’s Church in London. However, the couple announced their divorce in August of last year. Now, Murdoch is getting ready to walk down the aisle once again, this time with Smith by his side.

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Rupert Murdoch

It remains to be seen what the future holds for the media mogul and his new fiancée. However, it’s clear that they have a deep connection that goes beyond their shared experience in the media industry. The fact that they have found love later in life is a testament to the power of human connection and the importance of never giving up on the search for happiness.

Rupert Murdoch is a name that’s almost synonymous with the media industry. Born in Melbourne, Australia, in 1931, Murdoch is now a 91-year-old billionaire media mogul, with an estimated net worth of around $22.5 billion. 

He has been a controversial figure throughout his career, with many praising his business acumen while others criticize his political influence and sensationalist approach to news.

Murdoch began his career working for his father’s newspaper, the Adelaide News. He later went on to take control of the News Limited company, which he turned into a global media empire that includes some of the world’s most prominent news outlets. Murdoch’s media holdings include Fox News, The Wall Street Journal, The Times of London, and The Sun, to name just a few.

Throughout his career, Murdoch has been known for his conservative political views, and his media outlets have often been accused of promoting right-wing ideologies. This has led to a great deal of controversy, particularly in the United States, where Fox News has been accused of promoting fake news and biased reporting. 

Despite this, Murdoch has remained unapologetic, stating that his outlets are simply providing a platform for alternative viewpoints.

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Marriages

Murdoch’s personal life has also been the subject of much media attention over the years. He has been married four times, with his previous wives including a former flight attendant, a journalist, and an entrepreneur. 

He has six children from these marriages. In March, Murdoch announced that he was engaged to be married for the fifth time, this time to Ann Lesley Smith, who he met at his vineyard in Bel Air, California.

Despite his many accomplishments, Murdoch has also faced numerous scandals throughout his career. In the UK, his media empire was rocked by a phone-hacking scandal that led to the closure of his newspaper, The News of the World. 

In the United States, he has faced criticism for the allegedly biased reporting of Fox News, as well as for his close ties to various conservative politicians.

Despite these controversies, there’s no denying that Murdoch has had a significant impact on the media industry. He has been praised for his innovative business strategies and his willingness to take risks in the pursuit of success. Whether you love him or hate him, there’s no denying that Rupert Murdoch is a media titan who has left an indelible mark on the industry.

Photo: Inside Source